Senator Sirika, Atta, Babangida storm Keffi for Polo Honours
Three of the playing polo patrons in the country, are set for a titanic sporting confrontation as the prestigious Keffi Ranch Polo Tournament gallops-off in grand style Tuesday in the ancient kingdom of Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Each fortified with foreign professionals Adamu Atta’s Fifth Chukker, Senator Hadi Sirika’s Abuja Rubicon and Mohammed Babangida’s Profile Group team, have been confirmed for the winner-takes-all grand event that attracts over twenty top polo teams across the country.
Tournament Manager, Bashir Mohammed who confirmed this to Polo Royals in Abuja, stated that the high-goal rumble will pitch former champions, Fifth Chukker, Rubicon and defending champions, Keffi Ponys are vying the biggest prize, while Profile leads a battery of ambitious teams eyeing the medium-goal Cup.
Proprietor of the high profile ranch and host, Honourable Ahmed Wadada, former member, House of Representatives from Nasarawa State, who dropped this hint, stated that the ranch would continue to host tournament that empowers the youths in Nasarawa and support the less privilege in the society.
Wadada, who will by leading his Keffi Ponys in their title defence, also confirms that certain percentage of the proceeds accruable at the tournament would be channeled to supporting orphans.
Before now, Wadada Education Foundation has been in the fore front boosting the educational sector of Nasarawa State through awards of scholarship, constructing and renovating classroom blocks in schools across the Nasarawa West senatorial Zone.
“It’s a huge pleasure to champion the birth of polo here and using a percentage of the proceeds to support orphans in Nasarawa State. I’ve always believe in giving back to the society and my little efforts have been yielding huge results.”
Only last May, Wadada had just powered his champion side over Almat Group team in the fierce final that fetch them the glittering President and the Coumantaros Cup respectively.
As defending champions, the odd were stack in their favour and the quartet of Bello Buba, Khalifa Ibrahim Leurex Hendricks and Wadada himself did not disappoint their teeming who turns up in their thousands to cheer their darling champions to victory.
That Orphanage polo tournament was truly international festival, with Kano, Abuja and Niger Delta spearheading an historic clean sweep of all the major titles. Bayelsa Heritage came from behind to snatch the highly revered Senate President Cup against Kaduna Trappco in the final.
By far the biggest buzz of the tournament belongs to Kano Esbee team that defeated Argungu NSK by sudden death goal to cart home the Emir of Lafiya Cup.
Three goals by Esbee in the last chukka pulled a sensational 9-9 final score. Babawo Lawal scored the first ever sudden death goal of the ranch, gifting Esbee the day.
Alhusna outpaced Abuja Evergreen to clinch the Yahaya Abubakar Cup, while Kaduna Fifth Chukker edged Port Harcourt BobManuel Construction in the final of Captain Hose Cup.
With the standard of play reaching new heights, there are plenty of reasons to be in Keffi this week and be part of another epoch Keffi Ranch polo fiesta.